Vern Halter - Inducted 2025

1967 Flandreau/1971 USD graduate who later earned law degree in Vermillion.

In the Flandreau Athletic Hall of Fame.

One of the world’s and South Dakota’s most famous sled-dog racer, Halter competed in the 1,000-mile (Anchorage to Nome) Iditarod 19 times in a 22-year span (1983-2005). His best finish was third in 1999 to earn about $46,000, with three top five and nine top 10 finishes. His fastest time came in the 2002 race when Halter finished fifth in nine days, seven hours, 47 minutes and 48 seconds. Also has raced in the Yukon Quest (1,000 miles from Fairbanks to Whitehorn, Yukon) six times, winning that 1,000-mile race in 1990 in 11 days, 17 hours, 9 minutes to earn $20,000. Halter also placed second in 1989 and sixth in 1991 in the Yukon Quest. Also had had success racing in Minnesota’s John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon and is a past champion in Alaska’s Moose Creek Nugget 100. Halter secured one of the largest corporate sponsorships (Norwest/Wells Fargo) in the history of mushing. Has lived in Alaska since 1977. Halter’s friend David Monson (from Roslyn, SD), who married four time Iditarod Champion Susan Butcher, inspired Halter to run his first Iditarod. Halter won more than $300,000 in career earnings. Halter was a wrestler in high school and is a member of the Flandreau Athletic Hall of Fame. He also tirelessly promoted his sport, bringing some of his puppies to schools across South Dakota over the years. A former mayor, public defender and judge in Alaska, Halter and veterinarian wife, Dr. Susan Whiton, own and manage the successful Dream-A-Dream Sled Dog Tours, Bed & Breakfast and Kennel. Whiton also was a musher and played a key role in Halter’s success in the sport.